The New York Yankees find themselves hunting for a right-handed bat as Giancarlo Stanton’s injury situation complicates their opening day roster plans, but the market offers few compelling solutions.
Stanton is officially headed to the injured list with tennis elbow affecting both arms. He’s already undergone at least three platelet-rich plasma injections, and the team has provided no definitive timeline for his return to baseball activities.
As concerns grow about Stanton’s availability, the Yankees are actively exploring right-handed hitting options, but the free agent landscape remains barren. Designated hitter J.D. Martinez, who spent 2024 with the crosstown New York Mets, is available but doesn’t play the field at this stage of his career.
The market also features right-handed outfielder Adam Duvall and switch-hitting Robbie Grossman, though neither projects to provide significant offensive production.
Meanwhile, the Yankees face additional uncertainty at third base as Jazz Chisholm Jr. shifts back to his natural second base position. Potential third base solution D.J. LeMahieu is battling a calf injury, making it increasingly likely that Oswaldo Cabrera will handle the hot corner when the season begins.
However, if the Yankees want to address multiple roster weaknesses with a single bold move, they should consider reaching out to their division rivals in Toronto about a potential landscape-altering deal.
Why New York Yankees should trade for Toronto Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette
While it might seem improbable, the Yankees would be wise to gauge the Toronto Blue Jays interest in moving Bo Bichette to the Bronx. The Yankees could transition Bichette from shortstop — where he posted back-to-back seasons with at least 23 errors in 2021 and 2022 — to second base, while keeping Chisholm at third.
This move would immediately strengthen the infield while providing the right-handed bat the Yankees desperately need in their lineup.
Bichette comes off a challenging 2024 season where injuries limited him to just 81 games, resulting in a disappointing .598 OPS, 71 OPS+, and only four home runs. This represents a significant departure from his previous three seasons, each featuring 20-plus home runs.
Adding intrigue to the situation, Bichette revealed that Toronto hasn’t approached him about a contract extension, suggesting he may very well depart in free agency after this season.
If the Blue Jays sense Bichette’s exit is inevitable, why not maximize return value with a prospect package? While the Yankees’ farm system isn’t among baseball’s deepest, they could construct an offer centered around George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones, or Roderick Arias. They might also include recently-optioned Everson Pereira to sweeten the proposal.
A deal between these longtime division rivals remains unlikely, but exploring this possibility makes strategic sense for both organizations given their current trajectories.
